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“Good. Is there anything else?” His attention had already returned to his computer screen, dismissing her.
Temper straightened her spine. If he thought he could simply brush her off, he had another think coming. She didn’t know why he found her so objectionable, but his attitude offended her, which was rich, given that she was attempting to spy on him and uncover any secrets he might be keeping. She shouldn’t care what he thought of her.
“When can we meet? Fred asked for my help, and I honor my commitments. This report is due to the government at the end of the month.”
He muttered something she didn’t catch under his breath and gave his computer screen a longing glance before he stood and gestured to the table by the window. “Have a seat.”
She stalked past him, close enough to catch a subtle hint of his clean, woodsy scent. Whatever cologne or aftershave he used wreaked havoc on her hormones. She needed to find out what it was so she could buy a bottle and indulge in some exposure therapy—sniff it until she was desensitized to its magic.
Once she’d seated herself at the table, she pointed at his wall art to break the ice with some neutral conversation. “Is that someplace in Scotland? I like it.”
Lachlan glanced at the canvas pieces, brows furrowed. “I don’t know. Penny picked them out.”
Okaaay. She looked around for family photos, a personalized coffee mug, or other knickknacks that might give her some insight into his personal life and found nothing.
He opened the top drawer of his filing cabinet, rifled through it, and pulled out several folders before bringing them to the table. “I hope you have a few hours to spare.” He rubbed the back of his neck. Restless energy poured off him in waves.
She remembered the feel of those fingers wrapped around her arms to keep her from falling and wondered what they’d feel like on other parts of her body.
No. No. No.Her brain was hiking off the main trail and about to fall off the edge of a cliff. He was pouting when she was doing him a favor, collecting the data Fred needed for the report.
That annoying twinge of guilt returned and sat like lead in her stomach. Of course, she was also looking for information that might put him in jail.
He handed her one of the folders. “Start here.”
Admiral Dane had given her an idea of what to look for. Hopefully, she wouldn’t come across anything that confirmed the man sitting next to her valued money more than innocent people’s lives.
Sometime during the morning, Lachlan excused himself. When he returned, he placed a mug in front of her, then set another cup in front of his space at the table. “I brought you caffeine.”
She glanced down and sucked in her lips at the dark brown liquid. “Uh, thanks.”
His gaze narrowed. “You don’t drink coffee?” When she hesitated, understanding lit his face. “You don’t drink it black.”
Plenty of people didn’t drink black coffee. It was his fault for not asking. Still, she gave him an apologetic smile. “I add a touch of half and half to mellow the bitterness—not a lot. I weaned myself off sugar because I don’t need the calories.” Her cheeks warmed. He hadn’t asked for a complete accounting of her beverage preferences.
“I should have asked.” His hand wrapped around the mug. He pushed to his feet.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do. It was rude of me to assume.”
When he returned, the dark brown liquid was now a dusky brown, just the right color.
“Perfect.” She beamed at him, absurdly pleased that he’d even bothered to bring her the drink, let alone make sure it was to her liking.
Her smile had the opposite effect from what she’d intended. Instead of relaxing, he stiffened, his gaze shuttering. When he sat back down, the invisible wall separating them at the beginning of the morning was back.
She gnawed on her lip and peered at him through her lashes. What had just happened?
The unspoken tension dissipated as they continued poring over files. She took copious notes as she read over each paper, trying to soak up all the information. Protecting contractors as they worked on projects in Afghanistan was far more complex than she’d realized.
“Sophia.”
Her head snapped up at Lachlan’s commanding tone. “Did you say something?”
His striking green eyes hinted at amusement, as did the slight purse of his lips. He was even more attractive when he wasn’t scowling.
Imagine if he actually smiled, with teeth.